A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 2)

Carrick’s jaw tightens, and I can tell he doesn’t like that edict one bit.

“For now,” the queen continues as she pivots toward the dais. She starts walking that way, saying over her shoulder. “Come join me up here, Carrick, like two old friends, and we’ll talk. You too, Deandra.”

“And Finley?” Carrick grits out.

“Since she’s under your protection, she will also be a welcome guest in my home. But while we discuss such matters, I insist she wait outside in the hallway.”

Both Deandra and the queen look at me expectantly, like I should do their bidding without question. My gaze moves to Carrick, and he merely gives me a slight nod.

I smile brightly at him, giving a tiny bow. “As you wish, my lord. But I can’t wait for you to recount to me everything that’s said here in my absence.”

“Impertinent bitch,” Deandra seethes but Carrick’s lips twitch, and that’s just icing on the cake for me.

Hitching up my backpack, I head toward the door that leads out of the throne room.

CHAPTER 19

Finley

Rebsha is there waiting for me. He’s very handsome by fae standards, with dark brown hair cut short with precision and light green eyes.

“I’m to wait here,” I mutter.

Rebsha waves his hand, and out of thin air a comfortable-looking chair appears, backed up against the wall next to the throne room door. He makes a sweeping motion toward it. “For your comfort.”

I’m shocked with inaction for a moment before hesitantly moving toward it as if it might be a trick. I imagine lowering myself to the cushion and it disappearing, causing me to fall flat on my ass while Rebsha laughs hysterically.

“Thank you,” I say hesitantly as I take the risk and have a seat.

He nods. “Would you like some refreshment?”

No way in hell am I accepting anything from anyone in this land unless Carrick says it’s okay, so I politely decline. “I appreciate it, but I’m good.”

Rebsha nods again before turning to leave.

“Wait,” I call, and he gives me his attention. “You… um… don’t seem hostile toward me like all the others I’ve met so far.”

The fae shrugs, his tone droll. “Humans have never done anything bad to me personally, so I don’t feel the need to hate them.”

I can’t help the smile that comes to my face. Relief and delight.

He crushes it immediately. “However, if my queen ordered your death, I’d do it without hesitation.”

Swallowing hard, I nod my understanding. “Loyalty. I get it.”

“Exactly,” he replies tersely and without another word, he heads down the hallway. I watch until he disappears into a doorway.

I let my backpack slide off my shoulder and place it between my ankles on the floor. I roll my neck, loosening some of the stiffness from carrying it for so long.

I’m highly offended I got kicked out, but I also trust that Carrick can handle himself. I just hope he’ll actually tell me everything that’s said in there, and well… I wonder if he’ll tell me everything that Deandra, in particular, says.

She made it clear with words and body language that they have been intimate with each other before. While Carrick certainly didn’t seem interested in what she was so blatantly offering, it doesn’t mean he won’t be interested now that I’m out of the room.

It feels like I’m struck by a thunderbolt at this thought and for a brief moment, I want to run back into that room and put myself between Carrick and that slutty seductress of a fae. My butt even comes off the chair as I consider grabbing my whip before common sense prevails and I force my body back down.

I can’t interfere. The queen would probably kill me dead if I walked in there, be damned that Carrick said I have his protection.

Moreover, it’s absolutely none of my damn business what Carrick does in his personal life. I know I certainly shouldn’t be giving any credence to this boiling anger and despair that he might be interested in Deandra that’s rumbling in my belly. I have no right to feel this way.

“Ugh,” I growl, crossing my arms over my stomach and leaning back in the chair. My head thuds against the wall, knowing Carrick is just on the other side and that princess is probably seducing him right now. I’d never know it either because Carrick wouldn’t tell me, and I’d never have the guts to ask.

I bolt upright in my chair, my skin actually tingling with awareness of something huge.

I have the ability to listen in on their conversation. My abilities extend to fae and not to humans. I don’t know if it extends to Carrick as I’ve never tried, but he’s not human so there’s a chance. I can damn sure listen in on the queen and the princess at a minimum. I’ve been practicing and can now call this power up at will and without line of sight. I think the feather has also done something to amplify this gift, so far be it from me to ignore it.